Masters of Sex
Masters of Sex

Masters of Sex

2016TV ShowCanceledEnglish

William Masters and Virginia Johnson are real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality. Their research touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a midwestern teaching hospital to the cover of Time magazine and multiple appearances on Johnny Carson's couch. He is a brilliant scientist out of touch with his own feelings, and she is a single working mother ahead of her time. The series chronicles their unusual lives, romance, and unlikely pop culture trajectory.

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Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic76/100
Google Users90%
Director: Michelle MacLaren, Michael Dinner, Adam Bernstein, Jeremy Podeswa, Reed Morano, Michael Rymer, Lisa Cholodenko, Dan Attoll, Rosemary Rodriguez, Carl Franklin, Terry McDonough, David Nevins, Chris Manley, Michael DinnerGenres: Drama, Romance, Biography

Plot Summary

The series chronicles the unusual life of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson, pioneers in the scientific study of human sexuality. Based on Thomas Maier's biography, it details their groundbreaking research in the 1950s and 60s, navigating societal taboos and personal complexities as they explored the intricacies of the human sexual experience. Their professional partnership and personal relationship evolved as they became public figures, challenging conventional morality and scientific understanding.

Critical Reception

Masters of Sex garnered widespread critical acclaim for its intelligent writing, strong performances, and unflinching exploration of sexuality. Critics lauded the nuanced portrayals of its central characters and its ability to tackle complex themes with sophistication and sensitivity. The series was praised for its historical accuracy and its compelling narrative, though some noted its sometimes slow pacing.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling performances, particularly from Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan.
  • Acclaimed for its intelligent and sensitive exploration of human sexuality and relationships.
  • Appreciated for its sophisticated writing and historical context, although some found the pacing uneven.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the show's intelligence, strong acting, and its brave exploration of a taboo subject. Viewers appreciated the realistic portrayal of the era and the complex personal dynamics between the main characters. Some found certain plotlines occasionally slow but overall recommended it for its depth and mature themes.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards, including Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor – Television Series Drama (Michael Sheen). Also received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards.

Fun Fact

While the series is set in the late 1950s and 1960s, the actual Masters and Johnson study began in 1957. The show meticulously recreates the atmosphere and social constraints of that era to highlight the controversial nature of their research.

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